title: Positioning of the ablation catheter in total endoscopic ablation.
abstract: Minimally invasive ablation of atrial fibrillation is an option in patients not suitable for or refractory to catheter ablation. Total endoscopic ablation can be performed via a monolateral approach, whereby a left atrial box lesion is created. If the ablation is introduced from the right side, the positioning of the ablation catheter on the partly hidden left pulmonary veins is of vital importance. Using thoracoscopy in combination with multiplane transoesophageal echocardiography, the anatomical position of the ablation catheter can be established. Our experience in over 60 procedures has confirmed this to be a safe technique of total endoscopic ablation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Örebro University Hospital, Örebro, Sweden.
authors.forename: Anders
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ahlsson
authors.forename: Espen
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fengsrud
authors.forename: Birger
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Axelsson
mesh_terms: D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D062906:Cardiac Catheters; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods / Q000401:mortality; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal; D006801:Humans; D013906:Thoracoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods / Q000401:mortality; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Ablation; Atrial fibrillation; Endoscopy; Left atrial appendage; Transoesophageal echocardiography